Gardaí raid properties linked to alleged IRA chief of staff

Gardaí have raided seven properties in Co Louth as part of an investigation into the affairs of the leading republican Thomas 'Slab' Murphy.

The raids are believed to be linked to a PSNI investigation into a £30m (€43.7m) property empire in the Manchester area of Britain.

Yesterday, the PSNI's Assets Recovery Agency carried out raids in Manchester targeting two businessmen who have allegedly built up the portfolio on behalf of Mr Murphy, allegedly the IRA's chief of staff.

Mr Murphy, who owns a farm that straddles the border in south Armagh, has allegedly become a millionaire through smuggling across the border.